Improvement in velocipede



F. W. McCLEAV E,

Velocpede.

Patented April 13, 1869.

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We-etea- FREDERICK WILLIAM MCCLEAVE, OF NEW BEDFORD, MASSA- CI-IUSETTS.v

Leners Patent No. 88,889, dated Apmz 13, 1869.

IMPROVEMENT vIN' VELOCIPEDE.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the name.

To all whom 'it ma/y conce/rn:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK WILLIAM Mc- GLEAVE, of New Bedford, in the county of Bristol, and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and improved Velocipede, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description reference being had to the accompanying. drawings, making a part of this specificatiou, in which- 4 Figure 1 is a perspective view of my velocipede, with a portion of the two side wheels broken off.

Figures 2 and 3 are details.

The same letters refer to the same parts in the different figures.

The object of my invention is to produce a velocipede adapted to bepropelled by one or two persons, by hand or by feet, or by both hands and feet, and which combines lightness with elegance and comfort; and

My invention consists of a four-wheeled velocipede, the two front wheels of which are to be steered and propelled by means of a double crank, by the feet'o'f a person seated near the steering-apparatus, and the two hind wheels, the shaft of which being provided .with one crank, are to' be propelled by means of one or two hand-levers, by a person placed on a seat between them.

And my invention consists, further, in the raising and lowering of the front of the frame and seat, for the purpose of adjusting the distance of the cranks from the forward seat to the size of the rider. And my invention consists, also, in the arrangement of a'spiral spring aroundthe upright steering-stem supporting the front part of the frame, in such a manner as to allow the latter' to play freely on said stem.

And my invention consists, lastly, in one or more hand-levers, forming a double-arm lever, of which the upper arm is detachable, but the lower arm being connected by means of a link with a crank of the rear shaft. Said link is also detachable from said crank.

Referring to the drawings- A is a frame, the front part of which being held in position by steering-rod B, supported by spring G and nut D, the lower portion of the steering-stem forms bearings for a double crank-shaft, E, to which are attached the two front wheels.

The steering-rod is provided with screw-threads for uut D, as well as for nut J, to which the handle is secured.

Thus, by turning the nut D to the right, it will raise the spiral spring C, and with it the frame A, while by turning the nut J in the same direction the frame isstill more allowed to be raised, thereby increasing the distance of the seat F from the cranks.

At the middle of its length, the frame A parts oli' in a fork, passing to the rear shaft H, to which the two hind wheels are attached, supporting the same in suitable bearings, then running up, terminating in the two springs 'i i, which, in combination with the two auxiliarysprings ff, hold the seat K in its place.

Thev hand-lever M, pivoted at N, and in connection with lower arm O and link R,`moves the crank I of the rear shaft.

If it is desirable not to operate the hand-lever M, it may be taken off in the following manner:

The lowerpart of the handle N. being hollow, forms a nut, with which it is screwed on to projection S. To avoid any unnecessary friction, the link may be released from the shaft by loosening the thumb-screw U', and throwing back the hinged upper portion of bearing V y v In going down hill, or for reducing the speed, the hand-lever M vand link 0 may act as abrakc to the crank-shaft of hind wheel.

Having thus fully described my invention,

What I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The frame A, in combination with steering-stem B, spring C, nuts D and J, and double crank-shaft E,

constructed in the manner and for the purpose as 'above described.

2. The detachable. handle M, in combination with detachable link O, and single crank on rear shaft.

3. The two-seated frame A, in combination with the steering and adjusting-apparatus andthe handlever and link, applied to a four-wheeled velooipede, to be propelled in the manner as set forth.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK WM. MCGLEAVE.

Witnesses GEnoNIMo RIVERA, M. S. G. WILBE. 

